Nigeria charges six over alleged independence day coup attempt

Six people, including a retired senior military officer and a serving police inspector, have been charged with treason in Nigeria over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, reports BBC News Africa and agencies on April 21st.

The charges were filed by the Attorney General at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the accused are expected to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. A seventh suspect, former governor and ex-oil minister Timipre Sylva, has also been named in court documents but remains at large.

The case stems from rumours of a coup attempt that first emerged in October 2025, when the government abruptly cancelled a planned military parade marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. Officials cited security concerns at the time, though speculation quickly spread that the decision was linked to an attempted overthrow of the government.

While the military initially denied any coup plot, it later announced that 16 officers would face trial in a military court for attempting to unseat the president. It remains unclear whether the current charges are connected to those proceedings or represent a separate case.

According to prosecutors, the six defendants conspired to “levy war against the state” and had prior knowledge of the alleged plot, which was reportedly led by Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji. They are also accused of failing to alert authorities and of involvement in financing activities linked to terrorism, with money-laundering charges forming a key part of the case.

Those charged include a retired major general, a former navy captain, a police inspector, and several civilians, including an electrician and an Islamic cleric. None of the accused have publicly commented on the allegations.

Timipre Sylva has previously denied any involvement. His home was searched by investigators last year, and his representatives described the accusations as politically motivated.

Treason remains one of the most serious offences under Nigerian law, carrying potential penalties of life imprisonment. The case comes as Nigeria continues a period of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, with the military repeatedly affirming its commitment to democratic governance.

BBC News Africa and agencies, Maghrebi.org